The 2017 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumni Gala celebration will be held Thursday,
Nov. 2 from 7-10 p.m. at the National WWII Museum’s United States Freedom Pavilion.
In addition to 2017 Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumna of the Year Rep. Julie Stokes, the University of New Orleans will also honor distinguished alumni from its four academic colleges, interdisciplinary studies and athletics at the Distinguished Alumni Gala. The celebration will be held Thursday, Nov. 2 from 7-10 p.m. at the National WWII Museum’s United States Freedom Pavilion.
Here are honorees:
College of Sciences: Dr. Terence Flotte. Dr. Flotte earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from UNO in 1982. He
is the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medical Education, dean of the School of
Medicine, and provost and executive deputy chancellor of the University of Massachusetts
Medical School. An internationally known pioneer in human gene therapy, Dr. Flotte
is currently leading a research group that is investigating the delivery of therapeutic
genes and microRNA with recombinant vectors for genetic diseases.
College of Engineering: Fernando Rivera. Rivera earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1983 and an MBA in 1988,
both from UNO. He is director/CEO of Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
in New Orleans. With an operating and activation budget of $500 million, the system
has 1,900 employees and serves more than 66,000 veterans in the 23 parishes of southeast
Louisiana. Rivera was responsible for opening up the $1 billion replacement VA Medical
Center in New Orleans.
College of Business Administration: John Stockmeyer. Stockmeyer earned a bachelor’s in business administration in 1984 and an MBA in
1985, both from UNO. He is a founding partner and principal of Real Estate Tax Group,
LLC, a New Orleans-based property tax management and consulting firm. Stockmeyer,
who has more than 30 years of experience in the property tax consulting industry,
has testified before numerous local boards of review and state tax comissions in Louisiana
and Alabama.
College of Liberal Arts, Education and Human Development: Genevieve “Genny” May. May earned a master’s degree in urban studies from UNO in 2016. She is the U.S.
Marshal of the Eastern District of Louisiana. May’s overall responsibilities include
protecting the U.S. courts and judiciary, criminal investigations, execution of federal
court orders and other law enforcement activities. A veteran of the U.S. Navy and
graduate of the FBI National Academy, she previously served with the Louisiana State
Police and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Interdisciplinary Studies: John Patrick Galloway Jr. Galloway earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from UNO in 2015.
He is regional vice president and market manager for Cumulus Media, overseeing 18
radio stations and digital assests in four regional markets: New Orleans, Baton Rouge,
Lafayette and Columbus/Starkville. Prior to his time at Cumulus, he spent 16 years
with Entercom, where he was the vice president of sales for five stations. Galloway
has worked in the media industry for more than three decades.
Athletics: Emile “Skip” Miller III. Miller earned his bachelor’s degree in management from UNO in 1971. He enjoyed a
long career in the telecommunications industry that included executive positions in
Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky. He retired from the industry in 2011 and returned to
his native Louisiana. Miller works with several charitable organizations including
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children, Second Harvest Food Bank and
Kiwanis Club International. Miller serves as a volunteer for the UNO Department of
Athletics, focusing on initiatives that increase attendance and raise money in support
of student athletes.
Proceeds from the Distinguished Alumni Gala support student scholarships at the University of New Orleans. To purchase tickets to the gala, click here.